March 22, 2006

Touring by Plane, and why it sucks.



When I found out we would be traveling by plane for a solid leg of this tour, I was a bit excited. We all really enjoyed the idea of getting from city to city in a fraction of the time it would normally take driving. Plus, we would get to watch a ton of PG rated movies that would be too embarrassing to rent at Blockbuster.

Now, with that leg of touring in the books, I don’t think I ever want to fly again… Heres a couple reasons:

-The DHP- We aren’t really sure what DHP stands for, but we know they are three initials you don’t want to appear by your name. Poor poor Thomas Hughes happens to be on the DHP list. What does this mean? Well, for one, every time he checks in at an airport he is flagged and searched. His identification needs to be verified and all of us traveling with him get flagged as well. Our bags get searched. Our privates get patted down. More or less, someone somewhere thinks Tom is declaring a jihad every time he enters an airport.


-Guitars- do you check them? Do you carry them on? No one ever seems to know at airports. One airline will allow you to pre-board to find adequate overhead space for your guitars, while others won’t even let you carry them on. Does anyone know what to do?

-Meals- Strides have been taken, but there are still many more to be taken before we are there.

-When you miss your flight altogether by eight complete seconds- oh man, lets not think about this ever happening. Especially if you are operating on less than 2 hours sleep. Especially if you are in LAX with a DHP trying to get to SXSW when all the flights are sold out because everyone and their A & R scout are also going from LA to Austin for the mayhem. Particularly if you have to play 2 shows that day starting in 12 hours, one of which is going to be broadcast over the radio to tons of listeners. Just don’t even think of it happening*.


- Those little cards they make you fill out- OK! Now your just complaining.



*- special thanks to Leslie McKay at Woodlake Travel for salvaging us.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I LOVE YOU.. prom... hmm my mum is a flight attendent i can get somet tips for you if you love me??

Anonymous said...

Maybe you don't feel the same way because there are lots of you but.....don't you feel naked without a car-type vehicle? If you take a plane somewhere then there's no direct escape route if stuff happens. I'll be flying out to Seattle soon and I'm nervous about not having my car with me.

Safe travels, gentlemen. I'll see you real soon. I don't know what I'll have to offer you this time, but I'll figure something out.
-KT

Anonymous said...

What exactly is Big Jon doing in this photo? It reminds me a bit of those senior photo poses where they position you so it looks like you are punching the side of your face...

Hope your travels are safe gents!

yer pal,
shiv